An emergency response specialist is a specially trained professional who handles environmental incidents that threaten public safety. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, emergency response focuses on organizing and directing resources during environmental incidents in order to maintain control, protect public safety and minimize the event’s impacts on the local community and the environment.
What Is an Emergency Response Specialist?
Being an emergency response specialist empowers individuals to positively impact public safety outside of an office or clinical setting. Instead, these professionals work behind the scenes to overcome unique challenges. Emergency response specialists prepare communities for future emergencies, but also handle a wide range of different duties with the ultimate goal preventing the loss of life. Emergency response specialists collaborate with officials and emergency response employees during events to analyze damage, perform assessments and conduct surveys to determine emergency-related needs.
Emergency response specialists coordinate resources and operations with schools, hospitals, businesses, local officials and government agencies. They also execute disaster responses and support crisis management activities related to incident plans, evacuations and public shelters. During non-emergency time, they provide on-site disaster preparedness training seminars that teach emergency response personnel and members of the public how to effectively handle specific disasters. They also tour emergency facilities, inspect equipment and interview personnel.
Mandatory Abilities
Emergency response specialists need an advanced understanding of technical policies and work related documents. They must be able to effectively convey information when communicating with others. Their logic and reasoning skills will enable them to identify the strengths and weaknesses of plans and solutions. They also must be vigilant and diligent, so they can effectively monitor programs and assess individual performances. Having a sharp eye will help when they conduct tests, inspection organizations and review the quality of processes.
During disasters, emergency response specialists must be able to adjusting actions in relation to specific situations and persuade others to change their minds. When presented with complex problems, they review related information, develop options and implement solutions. Emergency response managers will determine how systems failed in order to prose operational and communication changes. Emergency response specialists often submit reports that measure and critique systems and actions.
Training and Education of an Emergency Response Specialist
The actual hiring requirements will ultimately depend on the employer, but most expect a bachelor’s degree in a related field, usually in areas like public safety or emergency management. There are many private training programs that cover topics like hazardous materials, search and rescue and disaster management. However, FEMA operates the country’s one and only Emergency Management Institute (EMI), which provides standard training to emergency response providers.
Those interested in becoming an emergency response specialist can take online and on-campus degrees or certificate programs related to emergency management. The curricula for these programs cover planning and prevention activities, communication standards and public education. Most importantly, they train responders to handle very dangerous situations related to biohazards, acts of terror and ecological disasters. Some also specialist in radiological disasters, homeland security and critical infrastructure protection.
Related Resource: Public Health Engineer
Those who become emergency response specialists may advance disaster planners, policy analysts, recovery specialists and public hazard administrators.